New Volvos to debut at 2014 MIAS

Guests at the 2014 Manila International Auto Show will be up for a treat as Volvo Philippines showcases new Volvo models. Slated on April 3-6 at the World Trade Center, visitors will behold the All-New V40 Cross Country and the reimagined 2014 Volvo XC60. These two carry the smart luxury characteristics that make driving a Volvo a uniquely enjoyable experience.

All-New Volvo V40 Cross Country


With its rugged design cues, increased ride height and a whole range of technological innovations, the All-New Volvo V40 Cross Country is the perfect companion for a spontaneous adventure.  This muscular 5-door V40 sibling includes protective body panels, bigger wheels and tires and an increased ride height, making rutted tracks and rough ground less of a challenge. It incorporates all the best of contemporary Scandinavian design, with added attitude. A true Swedish looker, the cabin features ergonomically designed seats that feature a unique two-tone design and accent stitching. With the Volvo Sensus, one can adjust the brightness of the interior LED lights as well as choose from seven different theater light modes to create the desired ambience. Or switch to temperature lighting, which automatically envelops the interior in colors that match the climate control settings. Being a Volvo, you can expect that it benefits from class-leading automotive safety, featuring a range of innovative technologies including Adaptive Cruise Control, Pedestrian Airbag technology*, Pedestrian Detection* with full auto-brake and City Safety, which automatically brakes the car in an emergency at speeds of up to 50km/h. It’s all part of IntelliSafe, Volvo’s complete approach to car safety. It can also be equipped with Park Assist Pilot that makes parallel parking less of a hassle and can park the V40 automatically. Locally available in petrol or diesel, the V40 Cross Country is a nimble, spacious, and fuel-efficient Volvo that gives you plenty of versatility and style.



Volvo XC60 SUV

Enjoy the marriage of capability and performance with Volvo’s XC60. Excellent road-handling coupled with Corner Traction Control allows the XC60 driver complete control whether in the highway or on twisty mountain roads. The purposeful, wide new grille and daytime running lights make the XC60 stand out in a crowd. Everything, from the classic Volvo V-shaped sculpted bonnet to the iconic floating center stack, enhances the car’s distinguished looks. Enjoy intuitive and advanced connection with Volvo Sensus. With three modes to choose from, the unique Adaptive Digital Display can be personalized to suit your mood. Choose from three fuel-efficient engines and enjoy horsepower of up to 304 and a torque of 440Nm.

Smart Luxury and Volvo’s new breed


Other Volvo models will also be on display including the All-New Volvo V40 that won the 2013-2014 Premium Crossover Wagon of the Year at the recently concluded Car of the Year Awards. Also on the spotlight is a very special, personalized Polestar-powered Volvo C30 with R-Design characteristics. Both carry the dynamic personality of the new breed of Volvos.

People can check out more about the new Volvo line through the Smart Luxury microsite and Volvo website at www.volvophils.com. Volvo redefines luxury through Smart Luxury, a fresh take in delivering cars that combine style and substance, form and function, practicality and performance. For Volvo, luxury is not about meaningless excess or wasteful extravagance but the emotion that comes from driving a car that is designed with people in mind.

source: motioncars.inquirer.net

Guests at the 2014 Manila International Auto Show will be up for a treat as Volvo Philippines showcases new Volvo models. Slated on April 3-6 at the World Trade Center, visitors will behold the All-New V40 Cross Country and the reimagined 2014 Volvo XC60. These two carry the smart luxury characteristics that make driving a Volvo a uniquely enjoyable experience.
All-New Volvo V40 Cross Country
With its rugged design cues, increased ride height and a whole range of technological innovations, the All-New Volvo V40 Cross Country is the perfect companion for a spontaneous adventure.  This muscular 5-door V40 sibling includes protective body panels, bigger wheels and tires and an increased ride height, making rutted tracks and rough ground less of a challenge. It incorporates all the best of contemporary Scandinavian design, with added attitude. A true Swedish looker, the cabin features ergonomically designed seats that feature a unique two-tone design and accent stitching. With the Volvo Sensus, one can adjust the brightness of the interior LED lights as well as choose from seven different theater light modes to create the desired ambience. Or switch to temperature lighting, which automatically envelops the interior in colors that match the climate control settings. Being a Volvo, you can expect that it benefits from class-leading automotive safety, featuring a range of innovative technologies including Adaptive Cruise Control, Pedestrian Airbag technology*, Pedestrian Detection* with full auto-brake and City Safety, which automatically brakes the car in an emergency at speeds of up to 50km/h. It’s all part of IntelliSafe, Volvo’s complete approach to car safety. It can also be equipped with Park Assist Pilot that makes parallel parking less of a hassle and can park the V40 automatically. Locally available in petrol or diesel, the V40 Cross Country is a nimble, spacious, and fuel-efficient Volvo that gives you plenty of versatility and style.
 
Volvo XC60 SUV
Enjoy the marriage of capability and performance with Volvo’s XC60. Excellent road-handling coupled with Corner Traction Control allows the XC60 driver complete control whether in the highway or on twisty mountain roads. The purposeful, wide new grille and daytime running lights make the XC60 stand out in a crowd. Everything, from the classic Volvo V-shaped sculpted bonnet to the iconic floating center stack, enhances the car’s distinguished looks. Enjoy intuitive and advanced connection with Volvo Sensus. With three modes to choose from, the unique Adaptive Digital Display can be personalized to suit your mood. Choose from three fuel-efficient engines and enjoy horsepower of up to 304 and a torque of 440Nm.
Smart Luxury and Volvo’s new breed
Other Volvo models will also be on display including the All-New Volvo V40 that won the 2013-2014 Premium Crossover Wagon of the Year at the recently concluded Car of the Year Awards. Also on the spotlight is a very special, personalized Polestar-powered Volvo C30 with R-Design characteristics. Both carry the dynamic personality of the new breed of Volvos.
People can check out more about the new Volvo line through the Smart Luxury microsite and Volvo website at www.volvophils.com. Volvo redefines luxury through Smart Luxury, a fresh take in delivering cars that combine style and substance, form and function, practicality and performance. For Volvo, luxury is not about meaningless excess or wasteful extravagance but the emotion that comes from driving a car that is designed with people in mind.
- See more at: http://motioncars.inquirer.net/27511/new-volvos-to-debut-at-2014-mias#sthash.rhyNk53T.dpuf

Ink-teresting finds at ‘Dutdutan ’13’

Dizzy was how we felt when we first went to the “Dutdutan” tattoo expo last year at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

A throng of kids and adults swarming around the hall like ants scrounging for food, and the loud, droning voices of program hosts harping on the greatness of the event added up to a jarring atmosphere that caused eye fatigue and brain overload.

But this year we were properly psyched; the long lines of tattoo enthusiasts outside the World Trade Center on Sept. 28, the second night of “Dutdutan 13,” caused excitement, even as the rains fell without letup.

Inside the venue, a program schedule noted that there were 140 booths offering tattoo services—said to be bigger than last year’s.

We met a number of tattoo artists in their respective booths. Renato Togonon, from Davao City, said it was his first time to join the two-day expo. He paid P9,000 for his booth. He charges a minimum of P1,000 for every tattoo, the cost increasing but negotiable, depending on the design to be chosen.

Paolo Espinosa, from Zamboanga, was working on the right arm of Lincoln, a 22-year-old Malaysian. Espinosa said he was donating all his earnings to the victims of the recent Zamboanga siege.

At the Black Marias Tattoo booth, PJ Pangan was inking 43-year-old Australian Matt Natalotto’s right arm with a phoenix bird design. Natalotto told us he’s been living here for the past two years and works as an engineer in the Malampaya gas field project in Palawan.

Addicting

Getting a tattoo is quite addicting, said Jo-Ann Miranda, 29, who went to “Dutdutan” with her husband, PBA player Denok Miranda of the Petron Blaze Boosters. She had her first tattoo after her dad died. “I wanted to remember him,” she said. “And then I wanted more.”

As we talked, she was having her third tattoo; her right wrist was being inked by Peachie Kaye Francisco with a Sanskrit symbol of motherhood, Miranda said. She has two kids.





Jasmine Hirth, 28, who works as a chef’s assistant in Germany, is also “addicted” to tattoos. “Once you start,” she said, “you tend to want more.” She has one on her right and left biceps, both forearms, and another on her chest.

The most striking, on her left forearm, is a character from Tim Burton’s film “Corpse Bride.”

Michael Morrissey, 50, owns a tattoo studio, Inkeeze, which had a booth at “Dutdutan.” He has a full-body tattoo, filled with all sorts of ghoulish characters. “I love scary movies, like those of Hitchcock’s. I also love to draw. Maybe that’s how my ‘demons’ come out,” he said, smiling.

Morrissey brought along a model, Sarah Maillet, 31, to help promote Inkeeze. Gosh, both her arms and right leg are tattooed with colorful and intriguing designs. One of them, written in French, translated to: “Memories take us back, dreams take us forward.”

She remembers getting her first tattoo at age 20, and values all the ink on her body as “an emotional thing.” The process may be painful, she said, but once it heals, her sense of attachment to the “work of art” deepens.

There were probably thousands of them mingling and taking photos with each other, apparently having fun in this gathering of tattoo freaks, when program host Ramon Zialcita introduced the next live musical performer, Mike Hanopol.

Now a Jewish preacher, the Pinoy rock god began his spiels in a surreal manner. He explained why he was there: “Dinala ako rito ng kadiliman!”

He went on and on, saying that the event had attracted all sorts of evil, and that his job was to let everyone realize it.

We howled with laughter and, just as we were heading to the nearest exit, Hanopol finally proceeded to do what he does best: sing and play the guitar.

The crowd would have loved him more—if not for the sermon.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) is bigger than ever

The Manila International Auto Show opens its ninth edition on April 4 to 7, 2013, at the World Trade Center and Philippine Trade Center.

The after-Holy Week exhibit promises to be its biggest showing yet, with more than 300 cars on display, ranging from the latest subcompact hatchbacks to the toughest pickups and fastest sports cars.

In this year’s MIAS, Ford will unveil the all-new Ranger Wildtrak, Mazda will highlight their Skyactiv technology in the all-new Mazda6 executive sedan and Subaru will launch the new Forester, now with fuel-saving turbocharged engine technology and a new all-wheel drive system;

Russ Swift returns for a thrilling exhibition of precision driving behind the wheel of the new Subaru BRZ, Jeep will introduce the new Wrangler Moab, and iconic motorcycle brand Harley-Davidson makes its debut, MINI will unveil its latest addition to the family, Kia will feature a preview of the all-new Carens MPV., Peugeot will highlight their diesel technology and their thrilling RCZ sports car.




Mitsubishi Motors will also show off their lineup as they celebrate their 50th year in the Philippines and Tuason Racing will launch the Tuason Racing driver experience featuring cars powered by BMW M.

In 2012, MIAS welcomed more than 88,000 visitors. MIAS exhibition space is comprised of the World Trade exhibition hall and lobby of 10,000 m2 and the 4,000 m2 air-conditioned (east wing tent) annex building and some 6,000m2 of outdoor exhibit, test drive and stunt performance area.

With 4,000 m2 of indoor exhibition floor space at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) building, plus another 3,000 m2 of air-conditioned tent connecting the PTTC and WTC east wing tent hall, MIAS is still the country’s biggest annual motoring event.



Visitors can avail of special deals on cars and accessories and great financing deals through BPI Autoloans, the official auto loan partner of the MIAS.

Show highlights will include the Petron-MIAS Classic and Custom Car Competition; a photo contest and exhibit; and other celebrity driver appearances.

MIAS will be hosting the “Car of the Year Awards” gala evening on April 4, in cooperation with Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI). The Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) will hold “Driver of the Year” awards night on April 5 at the same venue.

source: business.inquirer.net

Tensions surround 9/11 memorial on 11th anniversary

NEW YORK (AFP) - Tensions over how to pay proper respect to the dead are overshadowing New York's memorial at Ground Zero as a gap widens between survivors and the general, more forgetful public 11 years after 9/11.

Just days before the latest annual remembrance of the cataclysm that saw hijacked airliners flown into the World Trade Center's Twin Towers, the once overwhelming sense of national solidarity appears to have faded.

At the sombre site, which only opened last year to mark the spot where over 2,600 people were killed on September 11, 2001 out of a total of nearly 3,000 dead, police, private security guards and volunteer guides are enforcing strict rules on decorum.

The measures are aimed at curbing what some relatives of victims see as rising disrespect, ranging from picnics under the newly planted oak trees to an incident in June when visiting high school students threw trash into one of the black pools marking the footprints of the fallen towers.

source: straitstimes.com

Morrissey is coming to Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Morrissey Live In Manila The Greatest Hits Tour is happening on May 13, Sunday, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Watch the former frontman of The Smiths show you what alternative rock is really about. Tickets are available at all TicketWorld outlets.

Steven Patrick Morrissey, known as Morrissey, is the main lyricist and vocalist of the iconic band, The Smiths. The Smiths is considered the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene in the 1980s, behind the hits Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want, Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, the former song famously covered by Zooey Deschanel’s indie band She & Him and the latter song was featured in the soundtrack of (500) Days of Summer. English DJ Mark Ronson recomposed Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before as a soulful disco track.

According to Scott Timberg, a critic from The LA Times, Morrissey “patented the template for modern indie rock, first as the frontman for seminal mope-pop band The Smiths and then during his ongoing… solo career.” He also goes on to say that the ‘90s Britpop movement and the emphasis on an English lineage of bands like Oasis, Blur and Pulp stemmed from The Smiths as well as the playful twist to the traditional notions of gender and sexuality of bands like Suede, Bloc Party and The Magnetic Fields.

Little Asia is the major sponsor and official caterer of Morrissey Live in Manila. You may contact TicketWorld at www.ticketworld.com.ph or call at 891-9999. Ticket prices: VIP P5,550 (reserved seating) and Titanium P3,550 (free seating) plus applicable service charge.

article source: philstar.com